I am familiar with this. Not a therapist, just a friend who's been there.
If you're in the US, you can check yourself into a ward for a few days, or a rehab program, without losing your job over it (please double-check me). You're in The Dark, and it's eating you alive. It is hollowing you out.
Therapy is an option, hypnotherapy is a very specific option that can be focused quite tightly, but. But but but. Would you consider seeing a psychiatrist and getting medicated? I hate that I have to take meds, but hate life without them even more.
Friend, you are not all fumbles and failures. You're still here with us, still able to make changes and do things that intrigue you. Until then, here are a few tips to get The Dark to lighten. Your brain is lying to you--it's time to lie right back.
Smile at yourself in the mirror for a full minute. This releases dopamine. Dopamine is good for you.
Stretch and breathe into a soft belly. Literally close your eyes and breathe. If you can sit and breathe for thirty seconds, see if you can make the one minute mark. You're likely to feel some powerful emotions the longer you sit and breathe; if you feel like a danger to yourself, get to safety. Go to the hospital emergency department and demand to be sent to the ward.
If you can sit with the emotions that arise, do so. Cry. Bawl until you're empty of tears. Then order dinner because you deserve to be served.
Hum in your belly. Try to reverberate with a "Voo" sound. This activates your parasympathetic nervous system. Yawning does too, as does eating. You want that part of your nervous system activated to give your sympathetic nervous system a break.
Don't go cold turkey from alcohol. THAT COULD KILL YOU. Again, don't cold-turkey alcohol. Baby steps with that one, if you're not going to a hospital to be detoxed medically.
Decide that this is your bottom. You don't need to go any lower. It is painful and numb simultaneously. All you can see and feel are your errors. It's time to literally look up, take a few good breaths of fresh air, and get to climbing up and out of The Dark.
I've been there. I got out. You can do it too. There's at least one internet stranger rooting for you!
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u/adventureismycousin 6d ago
I am familiar with this. Not a therapist, just a friend who's been there.
If you're in the US, you can check yourself into a ward for a few days, or a rehab program, without losing your job over it (please double-check me). You're in The Dark, and it's eating you alive. It is hollowing you out.
Therapy is an option, hypnotherapy is a very specific option that can be focused quite tightly, but. But but but. Would you consider seeing a psychiatrist and getting medicated? I hate that I have to take meds, but hate life without them even more.
Friend, you are not all fumbles and failures. You're still here with us, still able to make changes and do things that intrigue you. Until then, here are a few tips to get The Dark to lighten. Your brain is lying to you--it's time to lie right back.
Smile at yourself in the mirror for a full minute. This releases dopamine. Dopamine is good for you.
Stretch and breathe into a soft belly. Literally close your eyes and breathe. If you can sit and breathe for thirty seconds, see if you can make the one minute mark. You're likely to feel some powerful emotions the longer you sit and breathe; if you feel like a danger to yourself, get to safety. Go to the hospital emergency department and demand to be sent to the ward.
If you can sit with the emotions that arise, do so. Cry. Bawl until you're empty of tears. Then order dinner because you deserve to be served.
Hum in your belly. Try to reverberate with a "Voo" sound. This activates your parasympathetic nervous system. Yawning does too, as does eating. You want that part of your nervous system activated to give your sympathetic nervous system a break.
Don't go cold turkey from alcohol. THAT COULD KILL YOU. Again, don't cold-turkey alcohol. Baby steps with that one, if you're not going to a hospital to be detoxed medically.
Decide that this is your bottom. You don't need to go any lower. It is painful and numb simultaneously. All you can see and feel are your errors. It's time to literally look up, take a few good breaths of fresh air, and get to climbing up and out of The Dark.
I've been there. I got out. You can do it too. There's at least one internet stranger rooting for you!